Abstract
BackgroundFecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has become an emergent method in the therapy of several intestinal diseases, mainly in Clostridium difficile recurrence. The training of FMT in medical schools is at its beginning and in countries where FMT is only occasionally carried out, it is important to know the perception of medical students on FMT.MethodsWe undertook a survey of 3rd year medical students not exposed to official academic information on FMT in order to find out their knowledge, beliefs and attitude toward FMT. A number of 80 students were asked to fill a dedicated online questionnaire.Results52 out of 80 third year medical students anonymously filled the questionnaire (65% response rate). 34% of respondents reported to have at least a medium level of knowledge regarding FMT. The top indication for FMT identified by 76.9% was C. difficile infection; however, 60% believed FMT to be a promising therapy for a high number of conditions and while almost all respondents (98.1%) would recommend it, 88.4% would explore other options first. Colonoscopy was considered the optimal method of delivery by 42.3%. Only 39% of participants believed that patients would accept FMT, however 71% considered that a more socially acceptable name for the procedure and anonymous donors would increase acceptance rate. The risk of transmitting a disease undetected by donor stool screening procedures to the recipient was the most worrying side effect considered by 75% of respondents. 54% believed that more research is required for FMT to enter clinical practice and 55.7% of respondents would enroll patients in controlled clinical trials.ConclusionsMedical students not exposed to educational information on FMT seem to be somewhat well informed about this method and would recommend it to their patients. Students, however, need to know more on the indications of FMT.
Highlights
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has become an emergent method in the therapy of several intestinal diseases, mainly in Clostridium difficile recurrence
Dysbiosis has been predominantly studied as being involved in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal diseases, such as C. difficile infection (CDI) [4] and
Several guidelines already recommend FMT in recurrent C. difficile infection (rCDI), with differences regarding the strength of evidence
Summary
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has become an emergent method in the therapy of several intestinal diseases, mainly in Clostridium difficile recurrence. The vast diversity of the human gut microbiota includes more than 1000 species of bacteria and about 150 times more genes than the human genome [1]. Bacteria can be found throughout the entire length of the gastrointestinal tract, with significant variability in composition and diversity. The host-microbiota interaction has been extensively studied and several important homeostatic functions have been outlined. The microbiota has been found to be Alteration in the composition of the gut microbiota is known as dysbiosis and can be associated with various diseases. Dysbiosis has been predominantly studied as being involved in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal diseases, such as C. difficile infection (CDI) [4] and
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